BREAKING NEWS
Man shot in leg
ARMED police are hunting for a gunman after a man was shot in the leg at a house in Vulcan Close, Padgate, Warrington.
The victim is in hospital but is not thought to have life-threatening injuries.
Another man, aged 37, was arrested and is being questioned by police about drugs-related offences.
More details tomorrow.
Plan offers 300 homes,
jobs and nature reserve
by David Skentelbery
A MAJOR package of planning applications involving around 300 homes, a nature reserve and the ?rescue? of more than 80 jobs is to be studied by Warrington planning chiefs.
The scheme involves the site of the fire-ravaged G and J Greenall distillery in Loushers Lane.
If planners give the go-ahead, it would mean up to 280 dwellings in blocks of 2-4 storeys on the distillery site, about 15 more homes on land at the rear of the former Ship Inn, with the pub being converted for residential purposes and the relocation of the distillery to a former warehouse building at Melbury Court, in Clayton Road, Risley.
Greenalls say they want to stay in Warrington, although they have the opportunity to move elsewhere.
But relocation to Risley would enable them to offer employment to the 83 distillery staff.
The distillery site is still in use, despite the fire which wrecked a huge warehouse last year but if the scheme went ahead, all remaining buildings on the site would be demolished.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved. But the Environment Agency has lodged an objection because of the risk of tidal flooding from the Mersey.
There are also more than 20 objections from residents of Stafford Road, who fear any development of more than two storeys would result in their homes being overlooked.
Objections have also been received to the Ship Inn scheme because of the loss of a garden centre employing 20 people.
The applicants are offering ?300,000 towards the provision of local sport and recreation facilities and ?50,000 towards a new health centre. They would also provide a nature reserve on nearby railway sidings.
Nicola, 20, lands
her dream job
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON girl has beaten off a challenge from 200 other applicants to land a dream job as an air stewardess.
Nicola Timmins, a former student at Warrington Collegiate won her position with Monarch Airlines and is now enjoying long-haul flights to some of the world’s most exotic locations.
She’s also turning into a celebrity star spotter. Since joining the airline she’s already taken stars from the world of sport, pop and television to foreign climes.
“Ever since I was a little girl I was fascinated by air stewardesses and always dreamed that one day I might be one. I can’t believe my luck,” said the 20-year-old from Penketh.
Nicola graduated from the Collegiate’s air cabin crew course in September and had to go through several interviews and ability tests before being offered the job.
“I love the variety. Last week we were in Goa, which is fabulous. I’ve also been lucky enough to meet a number of celebrities including Ronan Keating and Roy Keane,” she added.
Man dies after being
struck by train
by John Hendon
A MAN has died after being struck by a train near to Warrington?s Bank Quay station.
British Transport Police officers were called to the railway at Winwick Junction after reports of an incident.
Paramedics were also called to the scene but found the man ? believed to be from Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire ? to be dead.
Although not yet formally identified, it is understood the man is a 51-year-old from the Gainsborough. Members of his family have been informed.
Transport police are investigating the circumstances of the fatality but are not treating it as suspicious. A report is being prepared for the Cheshire coroner.
The train involved was a Virgin Trains Glasgow to London Euston service.
The line was temporarily closed while the incident was dealt with.
Council slammed over lack
of “alleygating” funding
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington have been criticised for failing to provide funding to improve security at the rear of vulnerable terraced houses.
Coun Paul Kenny has accused the borough council?s Lib Dem-Tory administration of having a callous disregard for people living in inner areas of the borough.
The Labour councillor said: ?Only last week the opportunity to provide funding for these schemes was in place but the callous disregard for the inner areas of the town is a feature of this current Town Hall regime.” Coun Kenny said ?alleygating? ? the provision of gates to seal off alleyways at the rear of houses ? could help beat burglars.
Under new powers brought in by the government, councils could invoke gating orders which restrict acess to alleyways by using locked gates or barriers. Residents would be provided with access to the alleyways.
Councils across the country were reporting the measure as a very successful crime and anti-social behaviour prevention measure and alleygating had received the support of the Association of Police Officers.
Coun Kenny said: “Alleyways are really useful for local residents and were originally designed to let coalmen and rubbish collectors get along the street. Nowadays, many alleyways are often havens for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.
“Alleyways offer the burglar access to the rear of terraced properties. Statistics show that burglars choose to enter homes through windows at the back – hidden from view the burglar can use the alleyway as an escape route.
“That’s why I welcome the new policy. Alleygating puts residents back in control and provides a simple but effective measure to improve the local alleyway environment as well as acting as a deterrent to the burglar.”
But Warrington has no budget to provide alleygating schemes and Coun Kenny attacked the ruling groups for their lack of foresight.
The Regeneration Fund which was abolished by the Lib Dem-Tory administration could have been used to fund schemes across the inner areas of the town where alleyways are a prominent feature.
He said: “Only last week the opportunity to provide funding for these schemes was in place but the callous disregard for the inner areas of the town is a feature of this current Town Hall regime.”
World premiere of
ghostly thriller
by Gary Skentelbery
THELWALL based Bridgewater Players will be staging a world premiere of the play “Whispers”, a ghostly thriller by local playwright Ian Hornby at Thelwall Parish Hall from April 19-21.
Doors open 7.15 for a 7.45 start and tickets cost ?3.50 and are available from 0845 331 3516.
The play is about Linda who is wheelchair-bound. She also cannot conceive, and feels total guilt about not being able to provide husband Sean with an heir.
Accidentally breaking an antique photograph one day, she unleashes the ghost of Belle, a resident of the house in the 19th Century, who haunts the nursery they’d made before Linda discovered she was barren, and making sure Linda has less desire than ever to go into that haunted room.
Police in hunt
for gang of four
by staff reporter
A MAN is in hospital at Warrington after being attacked by a gang of four thugs in Poplars Avenue, Orford.
The 21-year-old suffered serious facial injuries in the attack.
Police are trying to trace the four men believed responsible for the attack.
